Parliament could not adopt the report of the nine-member Adhoc Committee that investigated the contract between government and Sheikh Al Maktoum for the supply of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccines.
Though the report was presented and debated on the floor of Parliament late last night, Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew AsiamahAmoako, who Presided deferred putting the question on the motion to be either adopted or rejected.
The report recommended that the Minister of Finance should retrieve more than 16 million Ghana cedis paid to Sheikh Al Maktoum.
The Committee said it found several breaches including lack of approval from Cabinet, Parliament and the Public Procurement Authority. It also noted that supposed supplier failed to deliver the required doses of vaccines to government.
The report however did not indicate the actions to be taken against the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu who was found wanting in respect of the terms of reference of the investigative Committee.
As a result, the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh- Dompreh, contributing to the debate, moved for an amendment of the report to recommend the resignation of the Minister of Health or he should be sacked by the President. He said, the findings of the Committee show that Mr. Agyeman Manu, is not fit to continue to occupy that office.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, acknowledged, that the recommendations of the report were not adequate, as it did not touch on actions to be taken against the Minister.
He rejected the amendment being proposed by the Minority Chief Whip, saying it is not in consonance with the Standing Orders of the House. He suggested the House adopts the report and later take a decision on what should be done to the Minister of Health.
In view of the ensuing disagreements, the Second Deputy Speaker deferred ruling on the matter. The House has since adjourned sine die.
Source: Ashantibiz
Submit your stories or articles to us via WhatsApp +233-245092915
